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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 19, 2009

UNITED FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Maryland 000-52947 74-3242562

(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation) Identification No.)

95 Elm Street, West Springfield, Massachusetts 01089

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (413) 787-1700

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of
the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Item 8.01 Other Events.

On February 19, 2009, the Board of Directors of United Financial Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) approved a stock repurchase plan. The
Company intends to repurchase up to 841,138 shares or 5.0% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock from time to time,
depending on market conditions, at prevailing market prices in open-market transactions. The Company anticipates conducting such
repurchases in accordance with a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. A copy of the press release announcing the share repurchase plan is attached as
Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Not Applicable.

(b) Not Applicable.

(c) Not Applicable.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No. Description

99.1 Press release dated February 23, 2009
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

UNITED FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.

DATE: February 23, 2009 By: /s/ Mark A. Roberts

Mark A. Roberts
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For More Information Contact:

Mark A. Roberts
Executive Vice President & CFO
(413) 787-1700

UNITED FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES SHARE REPURCHASE PLAN

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA—February 23, 2009—United Financial Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:UBNK), the holding company
for United Bank, announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program. Under the program, the Company intends
to repurchase up to 841,138 shares from time to time, depending on market conditions, at prevailing market prices in open-market transactions.

The authorized share repurchases represent approximately 5.0% of United Financial Bancorp's total outstanding common stock. As of
February 19, 2009, the Company had 16,822,770 common shares outstanding. The Company has completed three share repurchase programs
since becoming a public company in 2005.

“We continue to believe that the repurchase of UBNK shares is an attractive use of the Company’s capital and will enhance shareholder
value,” commented Richard B. Collins, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

United Financial Bancorp, Inc. is a publicly owned corporation and the holding company for United Bank, a federally chartered savings bank
headquartered at 95 Elm Street, West Springfield, MA 01090. The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market
under the symbol UBNK. United Bank provides an array of financial products and services through its 15 branch offices and one express
drive up branch located throughout Western Massachusetts. Through its Wealth Management Group and its partnership with NFP
Securities, Inc., the Bank is able to offer access to a wide range of investment and insurance products and services, as well as financial, estate
and retirement strategies and products. For more information regarding the Bank’s products and services and for United Financial Bancorp,
Inc. investor relations information, please visit www.bankatunited.com.

Except for the historical information contained in this press release, the matters discussed may be deemed to be forward-looking statements,
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties, including changes in economic
conditions in the Company’s market area, changes in policies by regulatory agencies, fluctuations in interest rates, demand for loans in the
Company’s market area, competition, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports. Actual strategies and results in
future periods may differ materially from those currently expected. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s judgment as
of the date of this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.